Switch-controlling device



March 6, 1928. 1,662,041

R. F. STEHLIK SWITCH CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed March 22. 1926 ]nuen10P- Eudul h F. STEhZzk Patented Mar. 6, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUDOLPH I. STEHLIK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

TO'AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC IN 0., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE.

SWITCH-CONTROLLING DEVICE.

Appricatio n'filed March 22,1926, Serial No. 96,417;

. This invention relates in general to automatic switch Controlling devices such as are used onflselectors, connectors, repeaters and the like; an'd,the object of the invention, bioadly stated'is the production of a selfadju'st-ingrelay for use on such-controlling devices. i

.In ordinary, telephone practice, automatic switches are supplied on a percentage basis,

and are thereforema de accessible to anyone apl urality o f linesor trunks and are controlled by current impulses sent over these lines or trunksl, The length and character istics of lines Ivary': between wide limits, and iorthese reasons, .the strength of the current impulses sent over the lines vary correspondinglyf i For most satisfactory and reliable switch operation, however, the controlling devices mustoperate in;a ratherdefinite manner, ah d it .i sfthe objeet of this invention to introduce a switchcontrolling device which with-operate in adefinite predetermined manner, regardless of: thelen gth or characteristics of the line overwhich' it is controlled. This israccoinplished; by. providing the impulse receiving relay. with an automatic spring-tension adjusting. device which functions toadjust thetension of the retaining spring of the impulse receiving relay according to the characteristics of the particularlineovcr which it isto bev controlled.

The manner in which this result is accomplished may best be understood from a detailed description of the construction and the operation of this new automatic tension adjusting device, and also from a description of the .operation of an ordinary impulse repeater utilizing this new device. Reference is had to the accompanying drawings, comprising Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the new automatic tension-adjusting device and the impulse receiving relay and the release relay of an impulserepeater in-conjunction with which the automatic spring, adjusting device operates"; p T

Fig. 2 is a front view of the above mechanism. f 1

Fig. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of an impulse repeater employing the new automatic tension adjusting device.

The construction of the new device will the purpose of which will become obvious in later descriptions. The release relay comprises the winding 13 wound on the core 65, the copper slug 61 on the upper end of the core, the heel ,piece 12, armature- 31, and the springcombination 16. The spring combi nation 16 is provided with several extra springs; and .to armature31 a locking spring 35 is fastened by means of screws 36. The purposeof these additional springs will be described later."

The spring tension adjusting mechanism V proper comprises a field coil 2, having two windings 'and a C-shaped lamenated iron core 3, theends'of which are shaped to form the pole faces between which .the iron '8- shaped armature 4 is positioned. A brass tie 6, fastened on one end to the heel piece 10 of the line relay by means'of screws 14 and on the other end to the heel piece 12 of the release relay by'means of screws 14:, forms the mounting plate upon which the elements of the spring-tension adjusting de- I vice are mounted in operative relation to each' other. The core 3 is fastened to tie 6 by means of four screws 7, which screw into the tie 6, and is held at afixed'distance from the tie (5 by means otthe four spacers 8, through which the tour screws 7 pass.

Thef sshaped armature 4, the spacer 21, and theftoothed wheel segment 20, are suit ably fastened together and rotate as one inember on' the. shaft 5. These three elements are kept in position on the shaft by means of the collar 22se'cured to the shaft 5 by a-screw. The shaft '5 is mounted on the tief6 by means of the screw 9 which passes through'the tie 6 and screws intothe end of the shaft 5..- The shaft 5 has anenlarged portion at the fastened end to form th side bearing face tor the rotating menaher and also to form a better shoulder to rest against the tie (i.

The? cuiuatiig'e of"the'pole faces of the core 3 is cylindrical, the center of curral lll't. being the center about which the fil'll'ltltlllt. t: rotates "The curvature of the faces of the armature 4 is such that, as the armature it moves in a clockwise direction, the air-gap between the pole faces and the armature faces ecomes smaller.

A pin 33 is riveted to the toothed wheel egme Th Pin. .191. O e d. h t as a spr ng 1 9 ethe wh ch s looped through a smallliqle in the auxiliary extension arm The stop. pin 37 is suitab y asteiied t th tiefi Normal y the t rs i n, spr n 3445' relat ve y sm e n suflicicnt to li lcl' lic rmature 4 in its normal ppsit qa wa the stop Pl". 7 M a to tion; the

ns s -4 1. tli 'a nm ir 305i the n elay in'its'normally released position. The free end of fthe spring fiQjilS fQllQd to armature 31 haped permeates-aw tac -h of t tooth wheel segnientZQ and lock the armature A in position when thearmature 31 of the rea e e ay actuated" 4 The operation bttliis' device, and the func- "ou's e1 l 1ifltl$ of the device wheai s di ii oraiiiary l e r pea e will now be describedl; For this purpose it may be assumed that thisrepeat er, the circult of whichis showh in Fi .3, is accessible to subscriber byway of one or more intervening automatic switches. lt'may furthat baass m d. ha Pr ce in sw c has been operated under the control of a calling subscriber'and has extendeda connection to the repeater shown in Fig. 3. 'liifhen the re- 'peater -is seized, a circuit is closed "tor the line relay ll and the field coil 2 in series which may be traced from ground through the lower winding of rclayll, lower winding of field'coil 2, normally closed springs controlled by armature spring 45, bank contact 40, overthe subscribers tall-:ing loop to bank contact 38, normally closed springs controlled by armature spring 44, through the upper winding of field coil 2. through the upper winding of relay 11 to battery. The

currentflow in the field coil 2 causes a magnetic field to be set up between the pole faces of the core 3. Due tothis magnetic field, the armature 4, is rotated against the tension of spring 3 k a distanceproportional to the strength of the current flow in the field coil 2. S nce the field coil 2 is connected in Series w t he we relay 1 the ten iqa, i e, p n M'wi l be r t el w. the strength of the currentinthe circuit over wlhic i' the mp e re to. he, s n he itre e y a so operat eve th ebere r ed circuit and closes the circuit fertile release relay l3 at artuature spring 46 and the work- QQ'QQ JQQ Pr Re ease relay 13 p a its armature and causes'the locking spring 35 to engage one of the teeth of the toothed wheel segment 20 and lock armature 4 in position. At armature springs 49 and 51, the upper and lower windings ot' the field coil 2 are short circuitcil thereby decnergizin; the ticld coil. The magnetic-field between the pole faces of core 3 is destroyed, but the armature -lis now held in position by means of the locking spring 35, and will be held in position until the release relay 13 is" released, which takes place responsive to the replacement of the receiver by the calling subscriber, as will be described below.

As a further result of the operation of the release relay 13, at armature spring'48 ground is supplied to the holding conductor connected to-banlt contact 39 for holding up the precedingly operated switches in the usual manner. A circuit is also closed for the polarizing winding of the reversing relay 41 connected to this conductor. 'W'hen relay 11 is energized, a bridge is also closed across the outgoing cQnduc tors'58 'ai1d 60 at armature spring 47, which includesinipedance 43 and the upper winding of relay 41. This causes the preparation of the switch terminating the conductors 58 and 60 to receive the next series 01 impulses inthe well known manner. i

.lYhen the calling dcricc at the calling substation is operated for this next digit, the circuit of the line relay 11 is opened a corre' sponding number of times. \Vhen relay 11 falls back, a circuit is closed for the slow actin relay 42 which disconnects the initial bridge including the upper winding'of the reversing relay ell and the impedance 43 across the conductors 58 and 60, .and substitutes a direct short-circuit'ingbridge therefor. The bridge across the conductors 58 and (30 interrupted, however, at armature sprin $7 each time relayll is dccnergized, producing in'ipulics which operate thev succording switch. Since the tension of spring 2-3-1 has been adjusted corresponding to the current strength in the energizing circuit of relay 11, the impulses repeated to the succeeding switch will be of the character to insure most reliable s itch operation.

At the end of this series of impulses, line relay 11 again remains energized causing the deenergization of relay 42 to replace the initial bridge across conductors'58 and 60, which has remained energized throughout. the sending of current impulses due to its slow acting characteristic. Release relay 13 likewise being slow acting remains energized continuously. In a similar manner the remaining series of impulses are transmitted over the outgoing truiik line comprising conductors 58 and 60. to establish a desiredconnection in the wel-lknown manner.

When the called subscriber removes his receiver to answer the'call, the direction of current flow'in conductors 58 to 60 is reversed in some manner'such as by a reversing relay in the final switch. The reversal of current-in the upper winding of the reversing relay 41 causes the operation of relay 41. This reverses the direction of current flow over the conductors connected to bank contact 38 and 40 and may initiate any desired'o'peration such as operating a meter or a signal.

lVhen the conversation is terminated, the subscribers will replace their receivers. The placing of the receiver at thecalling sub station opens the circuit of relay 11, which deenergi'zes andopens'the circuit of the release relay 13." Release relay 13 deenergizes and causes the disengagement of spring 35 'from the toothed" Wheel 1 segment 20, thereby permitting the armature 4c'to restore to it's normal position under the tension of the spring" 34. At armature spring 48, ground is removed from theholding conductor ;connected'to bank contact 39; The reniox ahof'ground from the' holdin'g conductor "opens the circuit of, the'lo'wer polarizing winding {if-the reveising'relay 41,"and permits the relea se "of the precedingaswitches in the well knownI-manner. "At armature springs 9 and 51, the short circuit placed aroundthe windings of the field coil 2 is removed. The re'lease"o'fa rmature spring 47 also opens the bridge across the outgoing conductors' '58 and SO-an'dp'e'rmits the release of the succeeding switches in the well known manner. From-the foregoing description, it will be seeir'that a device has been devised which automatically adjusts the spring tension on the impulse receiving'rclay inlproportio'n to the current strength' of the impulses to be received. [The armature of the line relay operates the-same regardless of whether the impulses received are weak or strong, and therefore will operate in directsynchronism with the calling deviceproducing the im pulses and will repeat impulses of the same character, which insures the most reliable switch operation. vFor example, if the repeater be taken for use to be operated over a very long line, the current in the field coil will be eomparatively weak, and armature 4 will be rotated only a small amount, if any at all, thereby increasing the tension in spring 34 only a little. The line relay l1 will then respond'to the comparatively weak current impulses in the desirable manuer. If the repeater be taken tfor use to be operated over a very short line, the current in the field coil willbe comparatively strong, and armature 4 will be rotated pro-' portionately, thereby increasing the tension in spring 34 correspondingly. The in creased current, strength of the impulses will be balanced the increased tension in spring 34. .Again the line relay 11 will re spend to the current impulses in the same desired manner. It is evident that this new device not only adjusts the spring tension of the line relay to compensate for the length of the line over which it is to operate, but also compensates for leakage between the two line conductors, or leakage of either line conductor to ground. lVhile this spring tension adjusting device is shown used in a re peater, its use is not limited thereto. The arrangement shown here may be employed on any kind of an automatic switching device that'must repeat impulses to a succeeding switch or to its own operating magnets.

\Vhat is thought to be new and is desired to have protected by Letters Patent will be specifically stated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an impulse repeating device, an impulse-receiving relay, arestraining spring for the armature of said relay normally under tension, and means 'for automatically increasing thetension of said spring to any one of a plurality of values, the particular value in'any case being inaccordance with the current strength of the impulses to be received by said relay.

2. In an impulse repeating device, animpulse receiving relay, a restraining spring for the armature of said relay, a field coil for producing a magnetic field, arotating element mounted in said field, and a tension spring fastened to the armature 'of said re lay and to said rotating element, said rotating element being so shaped that the amount of its displacement under the influence of the magnetical field produced by said field coil is directly proportional to the value of the current strength in said field coil.

3. In an impulse repeating device, an impulse re'ceivingrelay, a'restraining spring for'theiarmature of said relay, a field coil for producing a magnetic field, a rotating element mounted in said field, a tension spring fastened to the armature of said re lay and' t'o said rotating element, said rotating element being so shaped that the amount of its displacement under the influence of the magnetical field produced by said field coil is directly proportional to the value of the current strength in said field coil, a second relay'u'nder the control of said impulse receiving relay, and a locking arm? controlled by said second relay for locking said rotating element in a rotated position.

4. In .a self-adjusting relay, having a r straining spring for-the armature of said relay, means for adjusting automatically the tension'of said spring to; any one of three values in accordance with the value of the current passed-through the coil of said relav.

5. In a self-adjusting relay having two ener izing windings, an armature,- and a restraining spring for said armature, means for energizing the two w ndlngs under varying circumstances such that the values of the current; in the two windings may or may not be the same, means automatically operative when current is passed through said two windings for adjusting the tension of said spring in accordance with the sum of the values of said current in the. two windings.

6. In an impulse repeating device, an impulse receiving relay, a restraining spring for the armature of said relay, and means for automatically changing the normal tension of said spring in accordance with any one of a plurality of different values of the resistance oi the circuit over which impulses are to be transmitted to said relay.

7. In an impulse repeating device, an impulse receiving relay, a, restraining spring for the armature. of said relay, andmeans for automatically adjusting the tension of said spring prior to the reception of impulses by said relay in accordance with the current strength at which impulses. are to be received.

8. In an,- impulsereceiving device, an impulse receiving relay, a restraining spring for the armature of said relay,.and a spring tension adjusting device for variably adjusting the tension ofsaid restraining spring automatically operable when the said relay is energized.

9. In an impulse receiving device, an impulse'receiving relay, a restraining spring for the armature of said relay, a spring ten sion adjusting device for variably adjusting the tension of said spring, means for operating said device automatically when said relay is energized, the extent of operation depending upon the current strength in the winding of said relay.

10. In an impulse receiving device, an impulse receiving relay, a restraining spring for the armature of said relay, a spring tension adjusting device for variably adjusting the tension of said spring, means for operating said device automatically when said relay is energized, the extent of operation depending upon the current strength in the winding of said relay, and means for locking said device in an operated position independent '01: said operating means.

11. In a self-adjusting relay having a restraining spring for the armature of said relay. a spring-tension adjusting device for variably adjusting the tension of said restraining spring, and means for operating said device automatically when said relay is energized.

12. In a self-adjusting relay having a restraining spring for the armature of said relay, a spring tension adjusting device for variably adjusting the tension of said re straining spring, a circuit for energizing said relay, and means for operating said device automatically when said circuit is closed.

13. In a self-adjusting relay having a restraining spring for the armature of said relay, a spring tension adjusting device for variably adjusting the tension of said restraining, spring, a circuit for energizing the coil of said relay, means for operating said device automatically when said circuit is closed, the extent of operation of said device depending on the resistance of said circuit.

lat. In a self-adjusting relay having a restraining spring tor the armature of said relay, :1 sprang tension adjusting device for variably adjusting the tension of said restraining spring, a circuit for energizing the coil of said relay, means for operating said device automatically when said circuit is closed, the extent of operation of said device depending on the resistance of said circuit, and, means under the control of said relay for locking said device in position independent said opera-ting means.

15. In combination, an impulse repeating relay, and; means for automatically adjusting said relay so that the ratio of the time of current [low to the time of no current flow of the retransmitted impulse is the same as that of the received impulses, regardless of the variationsjof the current strength of the received impulses caused by the differences in the electrical characteristics of the lines over which the received impulses are sent.

16. In con'ibination, an impulse repeating relay, and means for automatically adj ustin said relay so that the ratio of the time 0 current flow to the time of no current flow of the retransmitted impulses is the same as that of the received impulses, irrespective of the resistance of the line over which the received impulses are produced.

17.. In combination, an impulse repeating relay, and means for automatically adjust ing said relay so that the ratio of the time of current flow to the time of no current flow of the retransmitted impulses is the same as that of the received impulses, irrespective of the electrical characteristics of the line over which the received impulses are received.

IS. The combination, with a relay adapted to be energized over line s varying in resistance, of means for automatically adjusting the relay each time it is energized in accordance with the resistance of the particular line over which it is energized, and separate means for maintaining the adjustment during the time the relay is energized over one particular line.

19. The combination, with a relay adapted to be energized over lines having diiierent electrical characteristics, of means for automatically and variably adjusting the relay each time it is energized in accordance with the electrical characteristics of the particular line over which it is energized.

20, The method of correctly repeating impu se ic sis in a u n h peating relay to the line over which the im pulses are received and in readjusting the relay each time it is associated with a different line, so that the relay may be operated properly over lines of varying electrical characteristics.

21. The method of accurately repeating impulses in which a repeating relay is adapt d to be operated over lines of varying electrical characteristics, which consists in adjusting the operating characteristics of the relay each time it is used in accordance with the electrical characteristics of the line over which it is to be operated.

In an impulse receiving device, an impulse receiving relay, a restraining spring for the armature of said relay, a spring tension adjusting device for adjusting the tension of said restraining spring operable in the circuit of said relay, and means for disconnecting said device from the circuit of said relay after it has operated.

23. In an impulse receiving device, an impulse receiving relay, a restraining spring for the armature of said relay, a spring tension adjusting device for adjusting the tension of said spring, and means for operating said device when said relay is energized, the extent of operation depending on the character of that energization.

24. In an impulse receiving device, an impulse receiving relay, a restraining spring for the armature of said relay, a spring tension adjusting device for adjusting the tension of said restraining spring, and means for variably operating said device in accordance with the character of line over which the impulses are received.

25. In combination, an impulse receiving relay having two windings, an armature, and a restraining spring or said armature, a spring tension adusting device, including two field coil windings, for adjusting the tension of said restraining spring, and a battery, said impulsing relay being arranged to receive impulses over lines over a circuit including one conductor of a line, one field coil winding, one winding of said relay, said battery, the other winding of said relay, the other field coil winding, and the other conductor of the line in series in the order named, said device operating when said field coil windings are energized over said circuit, the extent of operation depending on the sum of the values of the current strength in the two-field coil windings.

In combination, an impulse receiving relay having two windings, an armature, and a restraining spring for said armature, a spring tension adjusting device, including two lield coil windings, for adjusting the tension of said restraining spring, a battery, said impulsing relay being arranged to receive impulses over lines over a circuit including one conductor of a line, one field coil winding, one winding of said relay, said battery, the other winding of said relay, the other field coil winding, and the other conductor of the line in series in the order named, said device operating when said field coil windings are energized over said circuit, and means for then locking said device operated and for short-circuiting said field coil windings.

27. In an impulse receiving device, an impulse receiving relay, a restraining spring for the armature of said relay, a second relay controlled by said impulse receiving relay, a spring tension adjusting device for adjusting the tension of said spring, means for operating said device in accordance with the current strength of the impulses to be received by said impulse receiving relay, and means controlled by said second relay for locking said device operated and for disabling said operating means.

28. In combination, a relay having a restraining spring for its armature, a spring tension adjusting device for adjusting the tension of said restraining spring operated in the circuit of said relay, the extent of operation depending on the strength of the current in said relay, a second relay controlled by said first relay, and means controlled hy said second relay for preventing a retrogrcssion in the operation of said device without interfering with the progression of the operation.

In witness whereof, I hereunto sul'iscribe my name this 17th day of March, A. D. 1926.

RUDOLPH F. STEHLIK. 

